He is a craftsman who has been making Kyo-tsuzura baskets in Kyoto since 1931. Mr. Watanabe, now the third generation, handles everything from material selection to the finished product. He is the only craftsman in Japan who can call himself a Tsuzura-shi (Tsuzura craftsman). Watanabe Shoten is responsible for the production of "akeni" (a kind of travel bag used to store yukata) used in the sumo industry, and is recognized by the sumo industry, Japan's national sport, as a craftsman with proven skills.